Hospice event to create a kaleidoscope of colour

Vibrant colours are set to brighten the whole of the county in 2015 as fundraisers transform themselves from a blank canvas into a rainbow of colour and celebration.

Next May, Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice will transform Carlisle Racecourse into a kaleidoscope of colour at their very first colour run. The local hospice is now encouraging the local community to release their creative side and join the fantastic Cumbria’s Colour Run.

Katrina Sander, Community and Events Fundraising Manager, said “Before the Colour Run every fundraiser will receive a pristine, white t-shirt but this will not last for very long as they are transformed into a rainbow of colour, louder and brighter than a Hawaiian shirt.

“Cumbria’s Colour Run is not about setting the fastest time, it is all about having fun. Whether you run, walk, dance or even conga around the picturesque route, we can guarantee you will have the most colourful time of your life as you are showered in vibrant paint around the route.”

The vibrant 5km event will see fundraisers transformed from a blank canvas into a rainbow of colour as they pass through the different paint stations where fundraisers will be showered in coloured powder ‘paint’. The ‘paint’ is made from cornstarch and fully tested cosmetic dyes.

The money raised by all of the colourful fundraisers will allow Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice to provide care, support and activities to local children and adults with life limiting illnesses. As well as extending this care to their families, friends and carers.

Katrina continued, “Whether you run to celebrate the life of a loved one or simply want to cover yourself, friends and family in vibrant coloured paint, you will struggle to find a brighter or more entertaining run in the county. Every fundraiser taking part in the colourful event will be making a huge difference to the care, support and activities provided at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw.”

The vibrant day of fundraising will not end at the finish line as Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw host the bright and vibrant after party. This will provide all of the fundraisers will the chance the dance the afternoon away enjoying the fantastic live entertainment and showering everybody with even more paint.

Do not worry if you are unable to make the first Cumbria’s Colour Run at Carlisle Racecourse on Sunday 10 May 2015, the Hospice will be hosting a second event just a couple of weeks later in Kendal.

Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice are offering an exclusive offer to the first 100 fundraisers who sign up for the Hospice’s very first Colour Run in Carlisle. The first 100 adults to register will be able to receive an exclusive discount price of just £10 per person, however this offer is only available by calling the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613.

Registration for Cumbria’s Colour Run is £15 Adults, £7.50 children (Under 16) Family £35 (two adults and two children), Group £45 (four adults), entry to the event will include a pristine white t-shirt and a pair of funky sun glasses. To register today or for more information please call the Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit http://cumbriacolourrun.evhospice.org.uk/ 

Picture: (Left to Right) – John Hunston, Head of Finance, and Laura Cadman, Head of Facilities and Support Services, are showered in paint.

 

Local hospice receives accolades for its wonderful care

Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice has been praised by the Care Quality Commission, following an inspection. The Commission, which regulates the standards of care, published its report this week following an unannounced inspection in December.

The inspection found the Hospice was compliant and met all the standards of quality which were reviewed, including the standards of Providing Care, Treatment and Support that meets People’s Needs and Caring for People Safely and Protecting them from harm.

During its review the CQC spoke to children, adults and families who use Eden Valley Hospice to seek their feedback on the range of services provided. “People we spoke with in the adult unit told us: “I couldn’t get more benefit from being here,” “They are kind, do what I ask, absolutely brilliant,” and “Staff check on you all the time to make sure you are okay, everyone is willing to help.”

The inspector spent time within the Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, and spoke to both young people and their parents about the care they received.

The local hospice’s experienced team of nurses and specialist doctors provide physical and emotional care to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses. The purpose built facilities allow Eden Valley Hospice to provide a wide range of services for patients, as well as supporting the patients families and carers.

The report continued, “The people we talked with, who were using the services of the Eden Valley Hospice, all expressed satisfaction with the support and services they were receiving. People told us that staff looked after them well and their needs were being met. A relative told us: “They don’t just care for the person they care for the whole family.”

Janet Ferguson, Chief Executive of the Hospice, said “We were very pleased with the result of our recent Care Quality Commission Inspection. It reflects the importance which is places on providing individualised care and promoting respect for privacy and dignity. It is very reassuring to see this reflected in the report.”

Gill Ward, Head of Care, said “We are delighted at the findings of this report. This is a tribute to the staff and volunteers from both clinical and non-clinical areas who work so hard to ensure our patients and their visitors are cared for to the highest standards.”

To view the full report about the care provided by Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, please visit http://www.cqc.org.uk/directory/1-120761682

Local charity bring birds to Hospice grounds

Members of the North Cumbria RSPB local group are supporting a local hospice by providing bird food for the Hospice gardens.

In recent months members of the Group have visited Eden Valley Hospice to help the Hospice volunteers maintain the bird feeders throughout the gardens. Many of the patients, families, staff and volunteers enjoy watching the birds in the Hospice gardens and with the support of the RSPB Group this is happening throughout the year.

Richard Dixon, Secretary of North Cumbria RSPB Local Group, said “I noticed that another regional RSPB Group had been helping to feed the birds at their local hospice, so I decided to visit Eden Valley Hospice and asked if the Group would be able to help.

“The feedback which we have received from the volunteers at the Hospice, who maintain the feeders, has been very good and there has been lots of pleasure for the patients at the Hospice too.”

The gardens at Eden Valley Hospice are enjoyed by all of the adults, children and their families who are cared for at the Hospice. The colourful, accessible gardens and bird feeders help the Hospice create a warm, relaxing and welcoming home from home environment where people are able to feel comfortable.

Leona Cameron, Support Services Manager, “Through the generosity of the RSPB, and their supporters, we have been able to ensure our bird feeders are well stocked throughout the year, especially over the Winter months. The variety of birds which have made the Hospice their home brings pleasure to many.”

Through the generosity and support of the local community the RSPB Group are able to provide large bags of bird feed to the Hospice free of charge. The group raises money by holding separate collections, selling handmade cards and by collecting donated bird feed at their indoor meetings during the winter held monthly in the Tithe Barn.

 

Both Eden Valley Hospice and the North Cumbria RSPB Group are encouraging more people to find out how they can help maintain and support this fantastic initiative by volunteering their time or donating bird feed. For more information please contact Leona Cameron, Support Services Manager on 01228 817608 or Richard Dixon, Secretary of North Cumbria RSPB Local Group on 016974 73544.

Hospice grounds to be illuminated by thousands of memories

Eden Valley Hospice is warmly inviting the local community to remember a loved one at a special carol service and light switch on in the Hospice grounds.

This Sunday, 24 November, thousands of lights of dedication will illuminate the trees in the Hospice grounds as the local community remember a loved one who will not be with them this Christmas. Everybody is welcome to attend the service in the Hospice grounds, by simply turning up at Eden Valley Hospice on Durdar Road.

At the service, which begins at 4.30pm, local people will come together at the Hospice on Durdar Road for a special carol service, which will include live music, carols and the official lights switch on.

Eden Valley Hospice would like to inform everybody who is attending the special service that parking at the Hospice will be limited on the day. The local hospice is encouraging people to park at Hammonds Pond and walk the short distance to the Hospice for the service.

If you would like to celebrate the life of a loved one this Christmas or for more information about the Light Up a Life service please contact the Eden Valley Hospice Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visitwww.evhospice.org.uk/lual